Sber plans three-day AI Journey conference in Moscow

Sber will hold its AI Journey conference in Moscow over three days with support from the AI Alliance, Alexander Vedyakhin said.

Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at Sber, announced the plans on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum. The conference will bring together researchers, scientists, companies and government representatives to discuss trends in artificial intelligence and the sector's prospects.

The event will take place in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation. Organisers have kept the conference's established three-part structure, with separate days devoted to science, business and society.

Three tracks

The business programme will examine AI's impact on the economy and how companies are managing organisational change around the technology. It will also cover AI use in public administration and commercial settings, including both sector-specific applications and broader tools.

The science programme will focus on next-generation AI systems and wider industry trends. Organisers say discussions will cover both fundamental research and applied engineering, as well as the practical challenges of deploying AI tools at scale.

The society track will explore how AI is used in daily life, education and creative work. It is aimed at a broad audience, including adults, schoolchildren and undergraduate students.

The international programme is expected to include the BRICS+ Business Forum on AI, underscoring an effort to present the gathering not only as a domestic technology event but also as a venue for broader discussion among markets and institutions linked to the BRICS grouping.

Awards and exhibition

The conference will also host the AI Leaders Award ceremony, backed by the AI Alliance. Organisers say it will bring together young researchers and teams from Russian companies and regions introducing AI-based projects.

Other competitions linked to the event include the AI Challenge for children and young people and the AIJ Contest for more experienced professionals. A technology exhibition featuring work from Russian companies is expected to run throughout the conference.

AI Journey has become one of Russia's main recurring AI events, combining research, commercial and public policy themes in a single programme. The format reflects the growing role of large banks and technology groups in shaping the country's domestic AI agenda.

Sber has positioned itself as one of the country's leading investors in artificial intelligence, using the technology across banking, digital services and software products. The bank has also played a prominent role in public discussion of domestic AI development as Russia seeks to build more of its own technology stack.

Support from the AI Alliance adds another institutional layer to the event. The alliance has served as a platform for co-ordination among major companies and organisations working on AI adoption and research in Russia.

Last year's edition drew more than 300 speakers from more than 20 countries, including Russia, India, China and the United States, according to Sber. That turnout highlights organisers' efforts to maintain an international profile despite a more fragmented global technology landscape.

Vedyakhin said Sber sees AI Journey as a major forum for discussing the technology's role across the economy and society.

"AI Journey is one of the world's largest events on artificial intelligence. The conference annually brings together top researchers, technology companies, and experts from around the world. Russia is consistently building its own AI competencies, creating cutting-edge domestic solutions that are already working for the benefit of society. Our approach is sovereign artificial intelligence, which doesn't limit people, but rather expands their capabilities in business, science, education, and everyday life. This AI becomes an extension of human potential and a reliable tool for building a future we want to live in," said Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Sber.